Page 38 of Desire

“Go back to sleep,” Brandle said. “All of you.”

“Can’t,” Garron said. “It’s almost dawn. The weather is starting to change. I can feel it. The mist is coming. You should wake her.”

“I know how I’d wake her,” Eadric said.

“Boastful git,” Edmund muttered a moment before I heard the hushed sounds of a scuffle.

I snuggled closer to Brandle, not yet ready to give up the peace I’d found sleeping next to him.

A soft sound, like a groan mixed with a growl, sounded from Brandle. The scuffling stopped.

“What did she do?” Eadric asked.

“She—”

Feeling mischievous, I brushed my lips against Brandle’s throat, and he exhaled a curse. His hand returned to my chest, brushing gently over the material.

“Kitten, you need to wake up,” he said.

I pushed his hand away, and instead of kissing his neck, I nipped it.

“Garron, take her,” he said. “Now.”

I found myself plucked off Brandle and facing Garron.

Before I could open my mouth to ask why, Brandle spun me around and kissed the side of my neck. Then he nibbled a path from my collarbone to my ear. I was breathing heavily when he pulled back to look at me.

“I welcome every bit of affection you wish to give and beg that you will return to this bed with me to continue your efforts after we deal with the men who wish you harm this morning. Tell me you agree.”

Before I could do either, he kissed my neck again.

“What do you think she did to get that reaction out of him?” Liam asked.

“I don’t know, but I would like to discover it for myself,” Daemon said.

“As would I,” Darian said.

I tried retreating from Brandle but bumped into Garron. It was enough to get Brandle’s attention, though.

“Right. Sorry, Kitten. You caught me off guard.”

“We should stick to our normal routine to catch them off guard as well,” Garron said. “Eadric, walk her to the privy.”

The mist had started to roll in. Between it and the gloom of pre-dawn darkness, it was nearly impossible to see by the time I left the privy. Eadric was there, though, and helped me wash at the basin, playing with my fingers more than cleaning them. I didn’t complain, appreciating the distraction.

“All clean, Sparrow,” he said softly. “Is there anything else I can wash for you?” He made a humming sound. “No, I think a bath later would be best. I can reach everything better that way.”

“You are not bathing me, Eadric,” I whispered.

He chuckled and took my hand, leading me through the mist.

To the east, I could just start to see a hint of light.

“It’s us,” Eadric said softly.

“They’re moving in the trees,” Garron said. “I think Kellen is right that they have protective charms. They have no fear of the beasts. They left the wounded man at the fire and are walking toward us with no light.”

“I’ll see if I can learn more,” Eadric said.

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